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BANCROFT  LIBRARY 


A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 
Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Ariz. 


FRANK  AY^WAUGH 
Collaborator 


1918 


U.  S   Department  of  Agriculture 
Forest  Service 


WASHINQTON  :  QOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE  t  I8I« 


\\ 


A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 
Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Ariz. 


ON  THE  southern  rim  of  the  Grcnd  Canyon  of  the  Colorado 
in  Arizona  stands  the  little  village  of  Grand  Canyon,  the 
terminus  of  the  Grand  Canyon  Railway,  a  subsidiary  of  the 
Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railway,  and  the  main  gateway 
to  the  wonderful  scenery  of  the  present  National  Monument.  This 
village  has  grown  up  under  severe  physical  handicaps,  serving  the 
single  purpose  of  assisting  tourists  to  reach  the  famous  and  unique 
scenery  of  the  canyon  below  and  beyond. 

Like  most  villages  this  has  had  a  fortuitous  and  largely  undi- 
rected growth.  In  the  present  instance,  however,  there  have 
been  causes  operating  to  discourage  the  customary  organization 
of  local  self-government,  chief  among  them  being  the  transient 
character  of  the  local  ties  and  interests  of  a  constantly  changing 
personnel.  This  lack  of  organization  has  kept  away  from  Grand 
Canyon  even  that  small  measure  of  official  influence  which  usually 
directs  the  affairs  of  new  communities,  including  the  problems  of 
physical  growth,  such  as  the  location  and  improvement  of  streets, 
the  subdivision  of  land  into  building  lots,  etc.  The  case  of  Grand 
Canyon  is  in  many  ways  abnormal. 

NOTE. — During  the  progress  of  this  work  I  have  received  the  most  cordial  assistance  from  many  members 
of  the  Forest  Service.  My  grateful  acknowledgements  are  due  to  all.  and  especially  to  Assistant  Forester 
E.  A.  Sherman,  Assistant  District  Forester  Frank  C.  W.  Pooler,  Assistant  District  Forester  Don  P. 
Johnston,  Forester  Examiner  Aldo  Leopold,  Forest  Examiner  Harrison  D.  Burrall,  and  Forest  Supervisor 
T.  Earl  Wylder  in  charge  at  Grand  Canyon  National  Monument. 

Special  mention  should  be  made  of  the  painstaking  and  illuminating  study  of  Grand  Canyon  problems 
anbodied  in  the  "  Grand  Canyon  Working  Plan"  (revised  to  Mar.  17,  1917)  by  Forest  Supervisor  Don  P. 
Johnston  and  Forest  Examiner  Aldo  Leopold.  I  have  found  this  report  of  substantial  value  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  the  present  plans. 


A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 


The  Problem 


HOWEVER,    the  territory  in  general,  with  certain  material 
exceptions,  belongs  to  the  Government,  has  been  erected 
into  a  National  Monument  by  the  President  of  the  United  State 
under  the  authority  of  an  act  of  Congress,  and  is  under  adminis 
tration  of  the  Forest  Service.     Thus  the  Forest  Service  become 
responsible  in  a  large  degree  for  the  growth  and  welfare  of  th 
community.     And  in  view  of  this  responsibility  the  Forest  Servic 
desires  to  provide  for  the  community  the  best  physical  equipment 
within  its  power  and  the  best  form  of  administration  available. 
The  present  study  is,  in  short,  an  attempt  to  develop  a  workii 
plan  for  the  physical  growth  of  the  village  of  Grand  Canyon. 

Physical  Conditions 

At  present  the  village  has  a  permanent  population  of  300 
400,  with  an  average  visiting  population  of  about  200  tourists. 

A  schoolhouse  has  been  built  and  a  good  school  organi; 
with  an  average  attendance  of  30  pupils.     There  is  a  post  offi< 
Religious  services  are  held  regularly,  but  there  is  no  churcl 
building.     There  are  no  stores  of  the  usual  sort  where  househol 
supplies -can  be  bought.     There  is  no  recognized  cemetery.     L 
deed,  the  village  lacks  many  of  the  physical  and  social  orgj 
usually  considered  indispensable. 

The  Santa  Fe  Railway  with  its  station,  the  Hotel  El  Tovar 
and  the  Bright  Angel  Camp  constitute  the  principal  equipmem 
for  the  accommodation  of  visitors,  and  around  these  the  whol( 
community  revolves.  A  very  few  enterprises  not  under  direc 
control  of  the  railroad  company  cater  to  the  individual  needs  o 
the  tourists. 

The  land  on  which  this  village  has  grown  up  is  rolling  am 
generally  well  timbered.  In  the  ravines  are  many  good  specimen 


Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona 


of  western  yellow  pine;  on  the  higher  portions  is  a  heavy  growth 
of  pinon  and  juniper. 

Conditions  of  the  Problem 

Certain  quite  unusual  conditions  enter  into  this  problem. 
These  may  be  stated  as  follows : 

The  village  is  wholly  dependent  on  the  Grand  Canyon  and 
on  the  tourist  traffic  which  it  invites.  Without  the  canyon 
there  would  be  no  tourists;  without  the  tourists 
Purpose  there  would  be  no  railroad  entering  here;  without 
the  tourists  and  the  railroad  there  would  not  be 
a  dozen  permanent  residents  in  the  vicinity.  This  village  has 
absolutely  none  of  the  usual  business  on  which  the  growth  of  the 
ordinary  town  depends. 

The  town  site  faces  abruptly  upon  the  colossal  scenery  of  the 
Grand  Canyon — a  landscape  of  the  most  intoxicating  sort.  If 
landscape  ever  has  any  effect  upon  individuals 
Physical  and  communities,  certainly  such  influences  ought 
Character  to  be  manifest  here.  It  is  worth  noting  that 
persons  most  familiar  with  the  country  all  assert 
that  these  influences  are  powerful  and  effective.  Usually  they 
say  that  "the  canyon  gets  on  people's  nerves." 

A  more  direct  and  practical  control  is  exercised  by  the  com- 
plete lack  of  water  supply  in  the  neighborhood.  At  the  present 
time  the  entire  ration  of  water  for  all  purposes  (with  negligible 
exceptions)  is  hauled  in  by  the  railroad  over  a  distance  of  120 
niles.  It  is  doubtful  if  another  example  of  this  kind  of  water 
JUpply  on  the  same  scale  exists  anywhere  in  the  world. 

The  absence  of  running  water  naturally  makes  impossible  the 
ntroduction  of  the  usual  sewerage  system,  thus  presenting  un- 
isual  problems  of  sanitation. 

Another  quite  unusual  condition  is  found  in  the  Government 

itrol  of  the  land.     With  certain  exceptions,  mentioned  below, 


:ont 


A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 


the  land  belongs  to  the  United  States  and  can  never  become  the 
property  of  the  persons  using  it.     On  this  territory  official  control 

is  supreme,  and  may  be  extended  to  considerable 
Official  lengths,  as,  for  example,  to  the  regulation  of  busi- 

Control          ness    and    the    censorship    of   architecture.     This 

Government  control  is  for  the  present  exercised 
by  the  Forest  Service  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture;  but 
there  is  a  general  expectation  that  the  administration  is  soon 
to  pass  to  the  National  Parks  Service  of  the  Department  of  the 
Interior.  The  imminence  of  this  transfer  has  its  own  important 
bearing  on  the  entire  study,  adding,  as  it  does,  an  element  of 
uncertainty  to  the  whole  situation. 

The  most  serious  exception  to  the  Government  ownership  of 
the  land  in  this  territory  is  the  tract  of  about  20  acres  included  in 

the  right  of  way  for  railway  station  grounds  of  the 
Railroad  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railway  Co.,  and 
Holdings  used  by  them  chiefly  for  railway  terminal  and  hotel 

purposes.  Owing  to  the  strategic  location  of  this 
tract,  and  to  the  business  advantages  enjoyed  by  the  railway  com 
pany,  the  latter  exercises  a  large  control  in  the  physical  develop 
ment  of  the  community  as  well  as  in  all  business  and  social  deve 
opments.  It  is  only  fair  to  add  that  the  Atchison  Railway  and  it 
subsidiary  organizations  have  shown  a  reasonably  liberal  tendenc 
in  the  management  of  their  enterprises  and,  generally  speaking 
an  excellent  spirit  of  cooperation  in  the  plans  of  the  Forest  Service 
In  the  territory  occupied  by  the  village  of  Grand  Canyon  ther 
are  several  important  tracts  of  land  encumbered  by  unperfecte 

mining  claims.  For  the  present  these  claims  cor 
Mining  stitute  a  troublesome  factor  in  the  situation.  1 

Claims  *s  hoped  and  expected  that  some  or  all  of  thes 

claims  can  be  extinguished  within  the  next  fei 
months.  Under  the  terms  of  the  present  congressional  authorit 
constituting  the  Grand  Canyon  National  Monument  further  minin 
claims  can  not  be  intruded  into  this  territory. 


Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona 


Solution  of  the  Problem 


General  Principles 

'N  APPROACHING  a  solution  of  the  problem,  under  the 
.  conditions  stated,  it  has  been  thought  necessary  to  emphasize 
bur  general  principles,  as  follows: 

1.  We  are  providing  for  a  small  community — one  which,  so  far 
as  we  can  see,  has  no  commercial  or  industrial  future,  and  one  which 
in  all  human  probability,  will  never  have  any  extended  growth, 
and  which  will  never  assume  the  character  of  a  normal  town. 

2.  Existing  social  relationships  are  unsettled  and  abnormal,  and 
svery  endeavor  should  be  made  to  introduce  more  natural  social 
contacts,  and  especially  to    promote  a  social  unity  among  the 
residents  of  the  town. 

3.  The  entire  village,  at  its  best,  is  merely  an  accessory  to  the 
canyon.     It  is  only  one,  though  the  principal,  entrance  to  the  park 
)elow.     It  must  therefore  contribute  chiefly  to  the  needs  of  tour- 
sts,  and  must  in  all  ways  facilitate  their  acquaintance  with  the 
canyon  itself.     In  particular  it  seems  desirable  that  every  endeavor 
hould  be  made  to  assist  in  the  circulation  of  tourists  into  the 
:anyon  and  along  the  rim. 

4.  The  village  is  there  because  of  the  visitors  who  are  drawn  to 
ee  one  of  the  wonders  of  the  world,  and  it  is  the  interests  of  the 
jublic,  not  the  interests  of  this  little  local  community,  that  must 
>e  given  primary  consideration  by  the  Government.     For  the  same 
eason  the  village  should  not  be  planned  on  the  supposition  that  it 
5  to  work  out  its  own  salvation.     The  Government  is  responsible 

the  public,  trustee  for  the  public,  in  effective  control  of  the 
ition  through  land  ownership,  and  must  decide,  not  advise. 


8  A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 

The  town  is  more  of  a  public  utility  than  a  social  group.  There- 
fore every  part  of  the  village  plan  must  first  submit  to  the  test  of 
being  consistent  with  the  interests  of  the  visiting  public  and  must 
be  limited  by  that  requirement. 

The  Physical  Plan 

It  is  now  possible  to  present  the  various  items  of  the  physical 
plan  in  the  light  of  the  conditions  set  forth  and  of  the  principles 
just  stated. 

The  present  town  is  almost  without  form.  The  miscellaneous 
buildings  are  scattered  at  random  over  the  land.  There  are  no 
streets.  Two  country  roads  have  wandered  aim- 
The  Plaza  lessly  into  the  territory,  where  they  seem  to  have 
lost  their  way.  They  meander  helplessly  here 
and  there  without  reaching  any  particular  points  and  without 
serving  as  boundaries  to  any  blocks  of  land.  In  order  to  secure 
a  physical  center  of  organization  I  have  planned  the  plaza. 
This  is  to  be  an  open  public  square,  as  near  the  natural  physical 
center  of  the  territory  as  it  is  possible  to  come.  Around  thi 
quadrangle  there  should  eventually  be  grouped  the  princip 
public  buildings.  It  should  thus  serve  literally  as  a  civic  cent< 
since  here  the  civic  or  community  interests  would  center. 

If  there  should  ever  be  a  Federal  building  in  the  town  (for  whi 
a  bill  has  already  been  introduced  in  Congress),  it  should  stanc 
on  the  south  side  of  the  plaza.  A  post  office  there  will  certain 
be;  and  if  this  is  accommodated  in  a  separate  building,  it  shou 
occupy  a  similar  position.  More  probably  it  will  be  placed  : 
one  of  the  stores  presently  to  be  mentioned. 

A  church  will  be  needed  by  the  town  and  can  probably  be  pro 
vided  within  the  next  few  years.  It  is  much  to  be  hoped  tha 
this  will  be  an  interdenominational  and  genuine  communil 


Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona 


enterprise,  and  that  one  church  may  be  enough.  Such  a  com- 
munity church  should  occupy  a  prominent  place  on  the  plaza, 
and  a  special  .lot  has  been  reserved  for  it. 

One  of  the  most  desirable  articles  of  equipment  at  Grand 
Canyon  is  a  community  house  or  neighborhood  building.  Such 
a  building  should  provide  for  a  wide  range  of  uses — the  holding 
of  public  meetings,  lectures,  dances,  movies,  etc.  It  might  serve 
as  a  public  library,  reading  room,  and  clubroom.  It  might  be 
equipped  with  billiard  tables,  bowling  alleys,  or  other  means  of 
wholesome  amusement.  It  should  be  provided  by  the  coopera- 
tive effort  of  all  interests  at  the  canyon,  being  the  genuine  expres- 
sion of  community  endeavor. 

It  is  planned  to  place  any  stores,  shops,  and  other  business 
houses  on  the  eastern  and  western  sides  of  the  plaza.  A  substan- 
tial and  handsome  garage  already  marks  the  northeast  corner. 

In  the  rather  improbable  event  that  more  stores  and  business 
houses  are  some  time  required  than  can  be  accommodated  on 
the  lots  now  assigned  to  this  purpose,  extension  can  be  secured 
in  the  normal  manner  by  bringing  into  use  some  of  the  residence 
lots  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

On  the  north  side  the  plaza  will  be  faced  by  the  railroad  sta- 
tion. Along  the  south  side  of  the  railroad  tracks,  extending  from 
the  present  garage  westward  to  the  company  corrals  and  stables, 
runs  a  fringe  of  good  timber,  nearly  all  healthy  young  yellow  pine. 
It  is  intended  that  this  parking  of  natural  timber  shall  be  pre- 
served and  protected.  At  the  same  time  the  present  reservation 
of  this  strip  will  make  it  possible  to  secure  a  moderate  increase  of 
trackage  for  the  railroad  if  such  a  need  should  become  pressing 
at  a  future  time. 

In  its  present  estate  the  little  square  of  land  set  aside  for  the 
plaza  is  dignified  by  the  presence  of  a  number  of  vigorous  and 
beautiful  yellow  pines.  The  tract  is  typical  of  the  best  of  this 

75061°— 18 2 


1 0  A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 

kind  of  forest  scenery.  It  is  hoped  that  this  character  may  be 
indefinitely  preserved,  and  that  the  village  of  Grand  Canyon  may 
ever  bear  at  its  heart  the  sunny  pleasant  picture  of  the  Arizona 
forest  rather  than  the  commonplace  " ornaments"  of  the  ordi- 
nary town.  A  little  sympathetic  effort  should  protect  the  present 
pine  trees  and  plant  others  to  follow  them.  I  would  recommend 
that  the  undergrowth  be  cleared  away,  and  that  as  far  as  possible 
a  grassy  parklike  surface  be  maintained. 

Under  no  circumstances  should  any  sort  of  building  be  per- 
mitted within  the  plaza;  and  this  most  positive  recommendation 
is  intended  to  cover  every  proposal,  no  matter  how  small.  All 
monuments,  band  stands,  fountains,  and  other  structures  of  what- 
soever sort  should  be  absolutely  interdicted. 

Street  Plan 

The  village  is  entered  from  the  east  by  Grand  View  Road.  This 
road  is  considerably  used  by  automobilists  coming  from  the  east 
and  from  Flagstaff,  and  still  more  by  tourists  visiting  Grand  View 
and  Desert  View.  The  roadway  has  benefited  by  considerable 
local  work,  mostly  given  by  the  railway  company. 

From  the  west  the  Ash  Fork  Road  enters,  being  joined  at  the 
outskirts  of  the  village  by  the  Rim  Road.  The  latter  road  has 
been  constructed  by  the  railway  company  under  Forest  Service 
permit  and  is  maintained  by  local  cooperation. 

These  existing  roads  have  been  adopted  bodily  into  the  plan; 
also  a  short  link  of  road  crossing  from  north  to  south  at  the  end 
of  the  railroad  trackage  and  running  thence  westerly  to  the  com- 
pany stables.  This  latter  section  will  supply  the  northern  boun- 
dary of  the  plaza.  New  streets  are  to  be  laid  out  on  the  east, 
south,  and  west  sides  of  the  plaza;  and  these  street  lines  will  be 
continued  to  the  east,  south,  and  west,  opening  up  the  territory 
which  seems  to  be  most  available  for  residences. 


Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona  1 1 

Other  details  of  the  simple  street  plan  will  be  better  understood 
by  reference  to  the  accompanying  map. 

It  is  the  design  to  have  these  streets  very  simple  and  informal 
in  character.  For  this  reason  the  plan  departs  more  or  less  from 
the  usual  straight  lines.  For  the  same  reason  the  streets  vary 
somewhat  in  width.  The  actual  roadway  should  be  much  nar- 
rower than  the  allotted  street  space,  and  should  in  all  cases  be 
developed  in  a  manner  to  save  every  likable  tree.  Yellow  pines 
should  be  spared  by  preference,  but  no  good  pifion  or  cedar  should 
be  thfown  away.  These  scattered  trees  will  do  more  to  preserve 
and  accentuate  the  natural  informality  of  the  surroundings  than 
any  stately  rows  of  street  trees  that  could  be  grown  beside  full 
irrigating  ditches.  It  should  be  clearly  conceived  that  these  streets 
together  with  the  plaza  are  to  give  a  distinctive  character  to  this 
small  village,  and  that  that  character  is  exemplified  in  the  neigh- 
boring forests  along  the  canyon  rim  and  in  the  Tusayan  National 
Forest  through  which  we  approach  the  town. 

Lot  Subdivision 

In  accordance  with  the  primary  intent  toward  informality  of 
design,  no  rigid  uniformity  has  been  adopted  in  the  subdivision 
of  the  space  into  blocks  and  lots.  Rather  has  it  been  the  desire 
to  present  a  reasonable  variety  in  size,  form,  and  aspect  of  build- 
ing lots.  In  general  the  residence  lots  are  comparatively  large. 
Since  land  is  abundant  and  cheap,  and  since  it  seems  important 
to  avoid  all  appearance  of  crowding,  one-quarter  acre  has  been 
adopted  as  the  ideal  size  for  residence  lots,  though  considerable 
variations  have  been  permitted. 

It  is  expected  that  these  lots  will  never  be  sold,  but  will  be  leased 
under  special-use  permits  by  the  Forest  Service  and  its  successors. 


1 2  A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 

Yavapai  Walk 

It  has  already  been  stated  as  a  governing  principle  of  our 
study  that  we  should  circulate  tourist  visitors  as  widely  as  pos- 
sible along  the  canyon  rim.  The  opportunity  for  such  dispersion 
of  visitors  seems  to  be  more  promising  toward  the  eastward  than 
in  the  opposite  direction.  Accordingly  I  have  endeavored  to 
present  as  many  attractions  as  possible  in  this  territory.  The 
specific  features  incorporated  in  the  plan  are  (a)  Yavapai  Walk, 
(b)  Yavapai  Point  Outlook,  (c)  Government  Park,  (d)  Tusayan 
Garden,  and  (e)  the  Automobile  Outlook. 

A  fairly  good  footpath  to  Yavapai  Point  already  exists.  This, 
however,  should  be  considerably  improved,  and  in  some  sections 
relocated.  In  its  final  location  this  walk  should  touch  the  rim 
in  about  ten  points  only.  These  points  should  be  carefully 
chosen  to  give  the  best  views  of  the  canyon  and  to  secure  the 
greatest  variety  of  prospect.  The  intervening  sections  of  the 
walk  should  fall  back  from  the  rim,  and  should  run  on  easier 
ground  among  the  pinon  and  cedar  trees,  thus  supplying 
desirable  intervals  of  visual  and  emotional  recovery  between 
excessively  stimulating  views  into  the  canyon. 

Cement  walks  should  not  be  built,  at  least  not  beyond  the  sec- 
tion now  occupied  by  Mr.  Verkamp's  store,  but  the  footway 
should  be  cleared  and  smoothed  just  enough  to  make  walking 
safe  and  easy  for  women  and  children. 

Rustic  benches  should  be  placed  at  convenient  places  along 
this  walk,  especially  at  Grandeur  Point,  where  several  good  seats 
should  be  provided. 

Yavapai  Point  Shelter 

Yavapai  Point  is  the  most  popular  outlook  within  the  reach  o 
the  average  tourist.  Women,  children,  and  others  for  whom  th 
other  canyon  trips  are  too  strenuous,  commonly  walk  out  t( 


sier 

2 

the 


Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona  1 3 

Yavapai  Point.  These  excursions  should  be  distinctly  encour- 
aged ;  and  to  this  end  the  improvement  of  the  walk  will  contribute. 
The  needs  of  foot  passengers  will  be  further  served  in  a  very  sub- 
stantial manner  by  the  construction  of  a  good  shelter  at  the  point. 
At  present  the  point  is  much  exposed.  When  the  sun  shines  on 
the  white  limestone  during  the  Arizona  summer  days  the  place  is 
blinding,  dazzling,  burning  hot.  On  days  when  the  sun  does  not 
shine  the  visitor  suffers  the  inclemencies  of  a  driving  wind  or  pos- 
sibly of  rain  or  snow.  Nearly  all  walkers  who  use  this  route 
wish  to  rest  at  the  point,  as  well  as  to  linger  for  the  enjoyment 
of  the  view.  An  adequate  shelter  would  certainly  be  much 
appreciated. 

In  this  particular  spot  I  would  recommend  a  treatment  of  the 
shelter  building  somewhat  different  from  that  wisely  adopted  at 
other  points  in  this  vicinity.  Instead  of  trying  to  make  the  build- 
ing invisible  I  would  make  it  enter  frankly  upon  the  view  from  the 
rim  near  El  Tovar.  Without  being  obtrusive  it  might  be  so 
plainly  visible  from  the  neighborhood  of  El  Tovar  that  every 
visitor  would  notice  it.  Even  at 'that  distance  it  should  present 
an  attractive  appearance.  It  should  interest  the  visitor.  It  will 
thus  appear  to  offer  a  natural  objective  for  a  walk,  and  should 
promptly  inseminate  the  desire  to  make  the  excursion  thither. 
The  detailed  design  for  such  a  structure  can  easily  be  provided 
whenever  needed. 

Government  Park 

For  many  reasons  I  have  felt  it  necessary  to  provide  a  reserved 
zone  in  the  territory  designated  on  the  maps  as  Government 
Park.  Other  sections  of  the  canyon  rim  in  the  region  where 
tourists  foregather  have  been  in  various  degrees  alienated  from 
Government  control.  There  should  be  a  substantial  zone  left 
free  from  all  encumbrances  upon  which  the  public  shall  have 


1 4  A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 

unlimited  freedom   of   action   and   the   administration  an  undi- 
minished  jurisdiction. 

This  tract  will  also  constitute  an  " official"  approach  to  the 
canyon.  It  offers  a  route  by  which  the  casual  visitor  may  pass 
directly  to  the  canyon  rim  without  crossing  restricted  ground  or 
becoming  beholden  to  any  persons  or  powers.  While  the  value 
of  this,  consideration  may  seem  more  psychological  than  practical, 
some  future  shift  of  circumstance  may  raise  it  to  'a  very  serious 
level. 

I  have  had  further  in  mind  the  possibility  that  this  area  might 
some  day  supply  the  opportunity  for  developing  an  artistically 
effective  introduction  for  the  canyon  view.  Such  a  stupendous 
landscape  really  requires  some  introduction.  The  approach  now 
used  by  custom  is  wholly  lacking  in  all  the  elements  which  any 
landscape  architect  or  other  artist  might  wish  to  bring  to  such  an 
overture.  I  confess  that  I  do  not  see  my  way  clear  to  the  devel- 
opment of  this  idea  at  the  present  time,  but  I  sincerely  trust  that 
at  some  future  day  the  purpose  may  be  fully  realized. 

For  the  immediate  future  I  recommend  that  Government  Par 
be  very  simply  treated.     The  outlook  along  the  rim  will  be  p 
served  and,  as  far  as  needful,  protected  by  a  rustic  stone  w 
The  native  timber  back  from  the  rim  will  be  preserved  and  i 
proved,  the  dead  trees  being  removed  and  the  whole  tract  made 
clean  and  attractive.     Seats  will  be  provided,   and  any  other 
simple  features  which  may  add  interest  to  the  space  will  be 
introduced.. 

The  principal  improvement  proposed  for  immediate  construction 
is  a  broad,  straight  walk — Tusayan  Mall — rising  by  rustic  stone 
steps  from  its  junction  with  Grand  View  Road  and  running 
northward  to  the  rim.  This  walk  should  be  made  dignified  and 
inviting  and  of  sufficient  dimensions  and  importance  to  sugges 
that  it  leads  to  something  worth  while. 


Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona  1 5 

On  the  general  plan  it  may  be  observed  that  this  Tusayan  Mall 
is  shown  as  continuing  southward  in  a  straight  line  across  Grand 
View  Road,  Apache  Street,  and  Navajo  Street  to  the  projected 
aviation  field.  The  steepness  of  the  slopes  will  naturally  bar  from 
this  right  of  way  everything  but  foot  traffic.  Even  for  this  pur- 
pose that  part  of  the  mall  lying  south  of  Grand  View  Road  will 
not  be  needed  for  some  years  to  come.  The  time  may  easily 
arrive,  however,  should  the  aviation  field  develop  into  a  center 
of  considerable  interest,  when  such  a  public  way  would  be  a 
substantial  convenience.  The  proposition  on  the  plan  looks  only 
to  such  a  possible  future. 

As  it  appears  in  black  and  white  upon  the  map,  this  southern 
section  of  Tusayan  Mall  cuts  in  two  the  school  grounds  in  an  objec- 
tionable manner.  Should  the  future  development  of  the  mall 
require  it,  the  school  ground  and  playground  areas  would  have 
to  be  readjusted  in  accordance  with  the  changed  circumstances. 
Meantime  present  arrangements  may  remain  undisturbed. 

Tusayan  Garden 

Just  to  the  eastward  of  the  tract  prescribed  for  Government 
Park  and  fronting  southward  upon  Grand  View  Road  is  a  warm, 
sunny  slope  now  clothed  principally  with  sagebrush.  If  the  en- 
tire space  is  examined,  from  the  road  to  the  rim,  there  will  be 
found  a  rather  remarkable  sampling  of  the  native  flora  character- 
istic of  the  plateau  throughout  the  neighboring  districts  of  the 
Tusayan  Forest.  Early  in  September  I  counted  over  50  recog- 
nizable species  of  flowering  plants  upon  this  area.  I  am  confident 
that,  with  even  a  little  trouble  and  expense,  it  would  be  easy  to 
establish  at  least  100  native  species. 

My  recommendation  is  that  this  tract  be  developed  as  a  very 
unpretentious  botanic  garden,  devoted  exclusively  to  the  local 
flora.  Some  very  slight  pathways  along  the  hillside  should  make 


1 6  A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 

it  accessible  to  all.     The  several  species  should  be  marked  with 
neat  and  inconspicuous  labels. 

Such  a  garden  would  require  a  certain  amount  of  puttering  care, 
but  no  heavy  expense  of  maintenance  should  be  expected.  If 
some  person  connected  with  the  local  staff  of  the  Forest  Service 
will  give  the  matter  some  personal  and  sympathetic  attention  the 
garden  can  be  made  a  most  attractive  feature.  Without  such  per- 
sonal and  sympathetic  care  no  appropriations  of  funds  will  save  it. 

This  garden,  where  visitors  would  be  able  to  identify  and  to 
learn  the  correct  names  of  interesting  local  trees,  shrubs,  and  herbs, 
would  certainly  be  of  lively  interest  to  many  canyon  visitors.  The 
Tusayan  Garden  would  very  soon  become  one  of  the  stock  sights 
of  the  place.  It  would  offer  another  interest  to  visitors,  and  would 
serve  our  fundamental  purpose  of  dispersing  them  farther  along 
the  rim. 

Automobile  Outlook 

Under  present  conditions  the  canyon  rim  can  not  be  convei 
iently  reached  by  automobiles  except  at  a  very  few  points, 
remedy  this  situation  and  thereby  provide  another  feature  oi 
interest  along  the  rim  eastward,  I  have  proposed  the  development 
of  the  Automobile  Outlook  at  a  point  somewhat  northeast  of  the 
Tusayan  Garden.  At  the  point  selected  the  canyon  wall  drops 
sheer  for  more  than  1,000  feet,  and  through  the  resulting  gorge 
the  view  opens  unobstructed  to  the  Indian  Gardens  below,  wide 
reaches  of  the  mesa  and  to  the  peaks  and  " temples"  beyond. 
The  view  is  one  of  the  most  impressive  in  this  vicinity. 

The  rim  would  require  protection  here  by  a  suitable  rustic  wall 
and  a  few  seats  should  be  provided.  Just  back  of  the  rim  a  large 
parking  space  is  planned  where  the  automobiles  of  a  visiting  excur- 
sion could  be  acccommodated.  This  parking  space  and  the 
Automobile  Outlook  are  easily  reached  by  a  spur  road  running  u 
from  Grand  View  Road  along  a  small  ravine. 


I  Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona  1 7 

Buttinski  Mine  Shaft 

Near  the  point  where  this  automobile  spur  leaves  Grand  View 
Road,  and  at  one  corner  of  the  Tusayan  Garden,  is  the  still  open 
shaft  of  an  unworked  mine.  It  is  hoped  and  expected  that  the 
mining  claim  will  soon  be  invalidated;  but  it  would  be  a  wise  con- 
servation of  "local  color"  if  the  old  shaft  could  be  preserved. 

Attractions  Westward 

Visitors  should  also  be  encouraged  to  perambulate  the  rim  to 
the  westward.  Two  specific  attractions  already  exist  in  the  ' '  Look- 
out" on  the  railway  property  and  the  Kolb  Bros.'  studio. 

The  head  of  Bright  Angel  Trail  also  serves  as  a  mild  interest  to 
some  visitors,  and  might  be  made  still  more  attractive  by  simple 
means. 

In  part  to  emphasize  the  Bright  Angel  Trail  and  in  part  to  pro- 
vide a  permanent  public  right  of  way  between  it  and  the  present 
highway,  I  have  recommended  in  my  plan  the  reservation  of  a 
strip,  to  be  called  Bright  Angel  Lane,  approximately  50  feet  wide, 
running  along  the  western  line  of  the  railway  property  from  Ash 
Fork  Road  to  the  head  of  the  trail  on  the  canyon  rim.  This  land 
lies  in  the  present  Cape  Horn  claim,  which  claim  it  is  hoped  soon 
to  extinguish  in  favor  of  the  United  States.  By  a  small  amount  of 
work  the  Bright  Angel  Trail  can  be  brought  up  over  the  rim  at  this 
point  and  its  approach  shifted  to  the  proposed  Bright  Angel  Lane. 

The  whole  idea  of  the  Bright  Angel  Trail  is  alluring  in  the  ex- 
treme. The  reputation  of  the  trail  is  widely  spread,  and  visitors 
knowing  of  it  come  to  the  canyon  with  their  imaginations  full  of 
poetry,  romance,  and  adventure*  Unfortunately  the  present 
approach  to  the  trail  is  a  rude  shock  to  these  valuable  pre- 
possessions. Nothing  could  be  less  poetic  or  romantic  than  the 
path  meandering  between  corrals,  farm  machinery,  blackened 
incinerators,  outbuildings,  and  through  back  yards. 


1 8  A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 

I  have  personally  urged  upon  the  officers  of  the  Santa  Fe 
Railway  and  of  the  Fred  Harvey  Co.  that  they  abandon  this 
present  approach  and  make  the  most  of  the  new  one  which  I 
hope  will  receive  immediate  development  at  the  hands  of  the 
Forest  Service. 

Interest  in  the  Bright  Angel  Trail  may  be  further  fostered  by 
a  more  extended  use  of  the  facilities  afforded  at  Kolb  Bros, 
studio.  There  is  pending  also  an  application  from  the  Fred 
Harvey  Co.  for  a  permit  to  build  a  clubhouse  and  observatory 
near  the  head  of  the  trail  which  would  be  kept  open  for 
public  use. 

The  same  company  proposes  further  to  construct  a  number  of 
small  cottages  near  the  rim  to  be  rented  to  canyon  visitors,  and 
to  develop  a  small  and  picturesque  outdoor  community  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  projected  clubhouse.  Such  a  project  has  my 
approval  in  principle,  both  as  supplying  an  additional  interest 
farther  westward  and  as  meeting  the  practical  needs  of  those  who 
want  to  see  the  Grand  Canyon. 

Even  more  interesting  in  its  possibilities  is  the  project  of  the 
Fred  Harvey  Co.  in  connection  with  the  developments  just  men- 
tioned, to  improve  a  considerable  area  contiguous  to  the  club- 
house and  cottages  and  lying  immediately  below  the  rim.  Here 
it  is  possible  to  construct  an  extended  series  of  paths,  outlooks, 
and  resting  places,  to  be  open  to  the  public,  which  might  supply 
extended  entertainment  to  many  visitors.  These  improvements 
should  include  the  preservation  and  exhibition  of  the  really  beau- 
tiful Indian  pictographs  found  in  one  of  the  caves  under  the  rim; 
and  I  would  especially  recommend  that  the  Forest  Service  and 
its  successors  take  every  care  to  preserve  these  ancient  relics. 


Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona  1 9 

Livery  Offices 

At  the  present  time  one  permit  is  pending  for  a  permanent 
location  for  a  livery  office.  Other  liverymen  have  in  the  past 
desired  such  locations  and  similar  applications  may  come  for- 
ward in  the  future.  The  most  usable  spot  for  such  offices  is 
universally  conceded  to  be  the  small  triangle  of  land  on  which 
the  tent  office  of  the  Forest  Service  recently  stood,  just  east  of 
the  railway  station  and  south  of  Grand  View  Road.  I  have 
accordingly  set  this  aside  for  that  purpose  in  my  plan.  I  would 
insist  that  the  offices  be  substantial  permanent  structures, 
agreeable  to  the  eye,  and  that  they  front  squarely  westward  upon 
the  street,  the  fronts  being  carefully  placed  parallel  with  the 
street  line,  and  the  offices  having  an  equal  setback.  The  offices 
should  further  be  carefully  located  so  as  to  save  as  many  as 
possible  of  the  good  yellow  pines  on  the  tract. 

The  space  in  the  rear  of  the  offices  may  be  used  for  loading 
passengers. 

Administrative  Office 

The  location  already  selected  for  the  Forest  Service  office  on 
which  a  small  building  has  been  constructed  does  not  seem  to  me 
altogether  satisfactory.  At  the  same  time  I  have  not  been  able 
to  find  a  better  location  under  existing  conditions.  In  case  the 
proposed  Government  Park  should  be  considerably  developed 
at  a  future  time,  and  in  case  the  Verkamp  location  should  revert 
to  the  Government,  to  be  added  to  Government  Park,  it  would 
seem  likely  that  the  administrative  office  and  museum  could  be 
given  a  better  position  with  special  reference  to  this  park  area. 
The  investment  now  proposed  for  the  administrative  buildings 
is  so  small  that  it  does  not  promise  to  be  impossible  to  remove  or 
rebuild  them  on  a  new  site  if  a  commanding  opportunity  offers 
later.  Or  in  case  a  Federal  building  should  be  erected  as  pro- 


20  A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 

posed  on  the  south  side  of  the  plaza,  the  administrative  offices 
and  museum  would  naturally  be  transferred  to  quarters  there. 

Ranger  Station 

The  present  ranger  station,  residence  of  the  forest  officer  in 
charge,  is  at  Rowe's  well,  2^2  miles  from  the  administrative  office. 
The  arrangement  is  a  source  of  considerable  inconvenience,  and 
there  has  been  much  discussion  of  plans  for  another  location 
nearer  by.  The  best  near-by  location  in  my  judgment  is  to  be 
found  on  the  area  south  of  Grand  View  Road  and  just  east  of 
the  present  public  camp  ground.  While  I  am  by  no  means 
convinced  that  a  change  from  Rowe's  well  to  this  locality  is 
desirable,  all  things  considered,  I  am  clear  that  the  transfer 
may  be  much  more  important  under  other  circumstances  at  some 
future  time.  I  would  therefore  recommend  that  the  tract 
described  be  reserved  for  administrative  purposes,  having  in  mind 
the  possibilities  of  a  superintendent's  residence  and  other  con- 
ceivable contingencies. 

Automobile  Parking  Area 

There  now  exists  an  urgent  demand  for  a  small  parking  space 
in  the  near  vicinity  of  the  railway  station,  the  hotel,  and  the  rim 
where  automobiles  may  be  safely  left  for  a  few  hours  while  visitors 
are  taking  meals  or  viewing  the  canyon.  A  convenient  space  for 
such  parking  is  offered  just  south  of  Grand  View  Road,  west  of  the 
public  camp  ground  and  east  of  the  livery  office  area.  Here 
automobiles  would  be  safe  because  always  in  full  view,  and  they 
would  be  convenient  to  the  public  garage. 

This  assignment  of  space  also  has  the  advantage  of  quick 
convertibility,  for  the  tract  can  readily  be  used  for  some  other 
purpose  when  changing  conditions  bring  new  requirements  to  the 
fore. 


Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona  2 1 

School  Grounds 

In  designing  the  new  streets  and  subdivisions  of  lots  I  have  had 
in  mind  the  necessity  of  keeping  ample  space  for  the  school 
grounds.  While  the  space  now  allotted  is  enough  for  present 
needs,  it  may  be  desirable  to  allow  for  further  school  enterprises 
beyond  the  street  to  the  southward.  I  have  particularly  in  mind 
the  possible  need  for  a  baseball  diamond.  Other  requirements 
may  be  discovered  at  any  time,  and  it  would  seem  unfortunate 
for  a  school  to  be  hampered  for  land  in  a  territory  where  this 
commodity  is  so  plentiful  and  cheap.  Should  the  proposed 
Tusayan  Mall  develop  into  an  important  thoroughfare  at  some 
future  time  (see  map  facing  page  3),  the  school  grounds  as  at 
present  laid  out  would  suffer  materially.  As  there  would  cer- 
tainly come  at  the  same  time  the  demand  for  a  larger  school 
building,  it  would  seem  that  the  best  way  to  meet  such  a  situa- 
tion would  be  to  remove  to  a  new  site.  As  a  better  location 
can  be  found  farther  east,  this  contingency  may  be  faced  without 
misgivings. 

For  the  time  being  the  pupils  of  the  public  school  will  probably 
be  best  served  with  a  liberal  supply  of  simple  play  apparatus,  such 
as  swings,  teeters,  slides,  bars,  giant  stride,  etc.  These  can  be 
made  by  the  pupils  with  the  help  perhaps  of  the  forest  ranger. 
I  have  discussed  this  matter  with  Mr.  T.  Earl  Wylder,  now  in 
charge  for  the  Forest  Service,  and  believe  that  all  requirements 

can  be  met. 

Livery  Stable  Zone 

The  best  predictions  which  we  can  now  make  give  the  livery 
service  a  large  part  in  the  accommodation  of  canyon  tourists  for 
many  years  to  come.  The  stables  now  used  by  the  Fred  Harvey 
Co.  are  therefore  regarded  as  a  permanent  feature  of  the  com- 
munity equipment  and  are  provided  for  in  their  present  position 
with  room  for  exoansion  southward. 


22  A  Plan  for  the  Development  of  the 

The  possibility  that  other  operators  might  need  stables  has  also 
been  kept  in  mind,  and  a  space  for  such  stables  has  been  reserved 
west  of  the  present  railroad  Y. 

Cemetery 

If  Grand  Canyon  comes  to  be  a  town  where  people  live,  it  is 
inevitable  that  they  will  also  die  there.  And  a  cemetery  is  always 
a  necessary  item  in  a  community  plan.  There  have  already  been 
several  scattered  interments  in  the  neighborhood,  reminding  us 
that  we  must  not  delay  to  make  a  more  sober  and  civilized  provi- 
sion against  such  contingencies. 

A  pleasant,  slightly  secluded  tract  of  land,  bearing  a  number  of 
dignified  yellow  pine  trees,  has  been  selected  for  the  town  ceme- 
tery. It  lies  to  the  eastward  of  the  village  and  north  of  Grand 
View  Road.  It  is  my  expectation  to  prepare  a  detailed  plan  for 
this  tract  in  the  near  future. 

Aeroplane  Landing 

It  may  sound  visionary  at  this  time  to  include  an  aeroplane 
station  as  a  part  of  a  community  plan.  Yet,  unless  all  signs  fail, 
the  aeroplane  is  soon  to  be  a  common  instrument  of  daily  business 
and  pleasure.  My  own  prophecy  is  that  this  situation  will  soon 
be  with  us,  and  that  the  aeroplane  will  early  come  to  play  a  con- 
siderable part  in  canyon  service.  Since  a  reservation  for  the 
accommodation  of  aeroplanes  can  be  made  without  injustice  to 
any  current  interest,  we  may  hope  that  this  part  of  the  plan  may 
be  passed  with  nothing  worse  than  a  smile. 


Village  of  Grand  Canyon,  Arizona  23 


Special  Recommendations 


In  conclusion,  I  have  two  special  recommendations  to  make  upon 
matters  which  will  have  a  considerable  influence  on  the  future 
development  of  the  village  for  which  we  are  now  making  plans. 

The  first  of  these  is  that  immediate  steps  be  taken  by  the  Forest 
Service  to  secure  an  investigation  by  competent  engineers  of  the 
possibilities  of  water  supply,  of  sewerage,  and  of  lighting  for  the 
town  of  Grand  Canyon. 

The  second  recommendation  is  that  the  administration  repre- 
senting the  Federal  Government  facilitate  in  every  way  and  at  the 
earliest  favorable  moment  the  establishment  of  some  form  of 
self-government  for  the  permanent  residents  of  the  town.  Usually 
an  American  community  can  be  relied  upon  to  organize  upon 
its  own  initiative,  but  in  this  case  the  individuals  forming 
the  community  change  so  constantly  that  organized  assistance 
appears  necessary  to  facilitate  growth  and  secure  stability  during 
the  earlier  stages  of  development. 

Immediate  Improvements — Costs 

Some  of  the  specific  improvements  which  ought  to  be  made  at 
a  very  early  date  and  their  cost,  as  roughly  estimated,  are  as 
follows : 

1.  Improvement  of  Yavapai  Trail,  station  grounds  to  Yavapai  Point,  2  miles.  $300 

2.  Shelter  at  Yavapai  Point  (estimate  low) 200 

3.  Seats  at  Grandeur  Point 25 

4.  Seats,  120  feet  of  wall,  and  other  improvements  at  Automobile  Outlook 150 

5.  Construction  of  600  feet  of  road  from  Grand  View  Road  to  Automobile  Out- 

look, and  of  parking  space 50 

6.  Grading  grounds  on  automobile  parking  space 100 

7.  Clearing  and  grading  streets  about  plaza,  approximately  350  linear  feet. ...  15 

8.  Clearing  and  rough  grading  other  new  streets,  approximately  one-half  mile.  250 

9.  Re-forming  entrance  to  Bright  Angel  Trail 200 

10.  Steps  and  path  in  Government  Park 200 

o 


